The Circuit of Success Podcast with Brett Gilliland Brett Hoogeveen: Building Better Cultures and Leading with Purpose
In this episode of The Circuit of Success, host Brett Gilliland sits down with leadership and culture expert Brett Hoogeveen, co-founder of BetterCulture, for an inspiring conversation about how great leaders shape workplaces where people truly thrive. From Omaha, Nebraska, Brett shares how his father’s influence as a nonprofit founder and visionary leader sparked his lifelong passion for understanding motivation, teamwork, and what makes organizations succeed from the inside out. What began as lessons learned at home has grown into a mission to help companies build better leaders and stronger workplace cultures.
Brett is a trained engineer, former healthcare executive, startup investor, and co-founder of BetterCulture—a leading leadership development and technology firm serving clients from entrepreneurial startups to Fortune 500 companies. Over the past decade, he has trained thousands of leaders and worked closely with hundreds of organizations to create stronger businesses through elevated leaders, engaged teams, and more energized workplace cultures. As an international speaker and Certified Speaking Professional (CSP®), Brett delivers practical, actionable insights on leadership, company culture, and the not-so-secret keys to success and happiness.
In this episode, Brett unpacks his powerful concept of “Stars vs. Vacuums,” explaining how every organization has individuals who either lift others up or pull them down—and why great leaders ensure that their stars win the battle for influence. With wisdom, humor, and relatable stories, Brett reminds us that culture isn’t built by chance—it’s shaped by daily choices, authentic leadership, and a shared commitment to growth. When he’s not guiding companies toward better culture, Brett enjoys life in Omaha with his wife and three spunky kids, where he proudly claims his title as one of the “Top 10 Airzooka Marksmen” in the world.
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